Chapter 91: A Conversation Between Friends
Aoi looked at them, his expression calm but carrying that quiet confidence they had all come to recognize over the past few weeks. The vast underground arena stretched out around them, the high ceiling lost in soft shadows, the air cool and faintly metallic from the reinforced steel and concrete. Massive training equipment loomed in the distance—weighted platforms, impact-absorbing walls, and a circular track that ran along the outer edge like a coliseum designed for gladiators of a new era.
—Welcome to your training location for the next few days.
Kirishima's eyes widened as he took in the sheer scale of the place. The arena resembled an underground coliseum, every corner packed with equipment he didn't even know the purpose of—strange hydraulic presses, vibration-dampening mats that shimmered under the lights, and racks of what looked like custom-made weights that could probably crush a normal car. He spun in place, grinning ear to ear.
—That's incredible! Are we really going to train here?
Izuku was already walking a few steps forward, craning his neck to take in the details—the polished floors that reflected the overhead lights, the faint hum of ventilation keeping the air fresh despite being so far underground, the way the space felt both massive and somehow intimate.
—I didn't think the place we were going to train would be like this. It's amazing.
Tsuyu tilted her head slightly, her large eyes scanning the equipment with quiet curiosity.
—So, Aoi, who else trains here besides you?
Aoi smiled, a small, genuine curve of his lips as he glanced toward the far side of the arena where a few personal items—Rumi's favorite punching bag, a rack of weighted gloves—were neatly arranged.
—Well, I like to train with my girlfriends here. But since Rumi is the only one addicted to fighting like me, we use this place a lot.
Kaminari's eyes sparkled with barely contained excitement, his hands already crackling faintly with static.
—So what is our training going to be like? It must be super cool!
Aoi nodded, his tone shifting to something more focused, more deliberate.
—Since the festival is already approaching, I think it's better, instead of trying to improve your weak points, to focus on your strong points. After all, increasing your strong points is much faster than trying to overcome your weaknesses. And since we don't have that much time, the most logical thing is to improve here what you're already good at.
Lida adjusted his glasses, nodding slowly as the logic settled in.
—I understand. It makes total sense. For us to improve our weak points would take too much time, and the festival is in a few days. We don't have time to try to fix weaknesses.
Aoi's smile widened just a fraction, approving.
—Yes, you got it right. So I'm going to divide your training to strengthen your strong points. Lida, since you need agility, you can use my track down there to learn to fight, be attacked, and dodge everything while at high speed.
Lida followed Aoi's gesture toward the massive circular track that ringed the outer edge of the arena. It was wide enough for multiple people, lined with pressure sensors and padded barriers that could absorb even the strongest impacts. He stared for a moment, already visualizing the possibilities.
—I understand. So I just have to learn to dodge and fight at high speed. So besides training my reflexes, since I have to keep running, I also train my endurance. Perfect.
Without another word, he headed toward the track, already loosening his tie and rolling up his sleeves as he began his training.
Aoi turned to Kirishima next, his tone straightforward.
—Your training is quite simple. You and Bakugou are going to fight. Him to increase the power and control of the explosion, and you to increase your defensive power. Don't worry about me—there's no risk of accidents here. So you can fight. Come to that ring over there, all white. It was made with super-resistant materials. You can use it to fight.
Bakugou cracked his knuckles, a feral grin spreading across his face.
—Alright, extra. I already got it. Stop being annoying.
Kirishima's eyes lit up, his fists clenching with excitement.
—A fight to get stronger together! That's so manly!
They headed toward the designated ring, the white material gleaming under the lights like polished marble, engineered to withstand explosions, hardening quirks, and anything else two teenage boys could throw at it.
Aoi shook his head slightly, watching Bakugou's retreating back, and thought:
—My friend, you're annoying. I really hope you start getting beaten by the world soon so you can grow up.
He turned to Kaminari, who was practically bouncing on his toes.
—Now you, my friend, you need to learn to control your power and release just a little bit of electricity, but that little bit has to be concentrated.
He glanced at Momo.
—Momo, make some small metal coins. And for Kaminari, your training will be trying to reduce the time it takes you to create simple things, like a sword or shield. So you're going to help Kaminari while you try. Every time he finishes using the coins, he'll ask for more and interrupt you. In other words, you'll have to create the swords quickly so you don't get interrupted.
Kaminari blinked, then grinned.
—So what am I going to do with these coins?
Aoi's tone was matter-of-fact.
—You're going to use them to create your attacks that consist of using electricity to shoot them at high speed, thus having attack power without needing to empty your head and become defenseless.
Kaminari nodded enthusiastically.
—I understand.
They moved off to find an open space, Momo already beginning to create the first handful of coins with a soft shimmer of her quirk.
Aoi then turned to Uraraka and Tsuyu.
—You two are also going to work together. Uraraka, you have to try to touch Tsuyu. Tsuyu, you have to use your tongue to attack her or even throw rocks at her while training your agility and using your tongue. And Uraraka, you're going to have to increase your reflexes and try to activate your quirk quickly to try to make the rocks lose gravity. This way you train your reaction time and reduce the time it takes to activate your powers. You can train over there. There's a part with rock walls and a pool on the side. It'll be a good environment for you.
Uraraka's face lit up with determination.
—Thank you. Let's go, Tsuyu.
Aoi smiled as he watched them head toward the designated area, the rock walls and shallow pool already set up for exactly this kind of training. He then turned back to Izuku, the last one remaining.
—Good, now that it's just us left, I'm going to tell you your problem. You're treating the power to increase power like Bakugou's explosion. Instead of using it constantly throughout your body, you're using it like a final blow.
Izuku's eyes widened, the realization hitting him like a physical blow. He stood frozen for a second, then nodded vigorously.
—I understood what I have to do!
Aoi gave a small nod of approval.
—Good. Then start with just 1%. Don't try to be greedy. Everything has to start little by little. Understood?
Izuku's voice was firm.
—Yes, I understand.
Aoi lay down on the cool floor of the arena, closing his eyes for a moment of rest. The distant sounds of training—Lida's footsteps pounding the track, the muffled booms of Bakugou's explosions, Kirishima's enthusiastic shouts—faded into background noise. He let himself drift, just for a few minutes.
A sudden crash jolted him awake. He opened his eyes to see Izuku sprawled against one of the reinforced walls, a small crater in the material where his body had struck. Dust drifted down slowly.
Aoi pushed himself up, a wry smile touching his lips.
—I bet he got excited about finally succeeding and lost control.
He walked over calmly. Izuku was already pushing himself up, wincing but grinning through the pain. Aoi knelt beside him and activated his healing power without a word. Soft blue flames flowed from his palms, rising gently over Izuku's body, knitting together bruises, soothing strained muscles, and easing the ache in his bones.
Izuku didn't even notice at first—he was too caught up in his own excitement. When the pain faded completely, he blinked, then looked at Aoi in surprise.
Aoi met his gaze.
—Izuku, can I ask you a question?
Izuku lifted his head, curiosity replacing the lingering adrenaline.
—Sure.
Aoi's voice was quiet, almost thoughtful.
—You know, I've always been curious about how you guys can be heroes to the point of giving your life to save strangers without hesitation. I simply can't do that well. But I've always had the priority of protecting those I love. Maybe it's because that spot is already taken, like a seat in a car: when all the seats are occupied, there's no more space for anyone.
Izuku stayed quiet for a moment, absorbing the words. Then he spoke softly.
—I don't know how to explain the feeling. It's a will that, when someone is in danger, I run to help without thinking. I think I don't stop to think about the consequences. When I see it, I'm already in front of the villain.
Aoi nodded slowly.
—I understand. I know that this thing you say about wanting to fight with your life at risk doesn't appear to me in that way. I think for me it's like that function only works for certain people. I'm not saying I don't help people. I like to give help to those who need it. But when I see a stranger in danger, I speed up to save them, but I don't feel that desperation to get there at all costs like you do.
Izuku stayed quiet for a moment, then asked:
—Aoi, tell me: besides protecting those you love, what is your dream?
Aoi paused, his gaze drifting toward the distant ceiling of the arena.
—My dream... Well, Jupiter is all planned out and just needs to start the stages. So it's more things I know I'll achieve than a dream.
He thought for a second longer, then smiled faintly.
—My dream is that everyone can use their quirks however they want, as long as they don't use them to hurt anyone.
Izuku's eyes widened slightly.
—Aoi, that's cool, but it's dangerous, right? People might not be able to control it.
Aoi's smile didn't waver.
—Well, I have a plan I thought of. Like, if we make a school that's like the one that teaches how to drive cars for those who want to get a license, so they can use their quirk in everyday life. Whether it's to fly to the beach without needing to take the bus and use it, or even to solve simple things like getting a kitten out of a tree. If the hero license is like being a race car driver, the civil license serves as a regular car.
Izuku blinked, processing the idea.
—But Aoi, something that big needs a gigantic project and a law approved and a lot of money, right?
Aoi's smile turned almost playful.
—You know, Izuku, I'm going to retire early. So I want to have something cool that I leave for the world of heroes. This is my project to help people who want to play with their quirks without being seen as villains. After all, most of those who end up without a license are people with not very strong quirks. And if Endeavor can take the license to prove that with training he's not a danger, with his strong quirk, a common person can also enter the school and get theirs to have the right to use it in everyday life.
Izuku looked at Aoi with open admiration, a slow smile spreading across his face.
—Why are you doing this, Aoi? After all, you said you don't have the heroic instinct.
Aoi's expression softened, his voice quiet but steady.
—Simple: I lose nothing by doing this, aside from the money to build the places, gaining public support with advertisements, and getting this law approved. And since I lose nothing, why can't I help those who need it? Simple as that.
In his mind, another thought flickered, accompanied by a small, almost mischievous smile.
—With this, I think the government will send Lady Nagant to kill me. I'm counting on that. I think she's beautiful. I really want to save her. Of course, in a romantic way to win her heart. Not like Izuku who didn't take the chance with that beautiful older sister to finish the hit and conquer her heart. I should succeed.
Izuku watched him, eyes shining with quiet awe, convinced that Aoi was already planning every detail of how to make this dream a reality.